Identity theft is not a joke!

As the vast expanse of information on the Internet continues to rapidly grow, so does the rate of Internet crime. One of the biggest and most consequential of them all is identity theft. Identity theft can take many different forms, but the consequences are all substantial and lead to loss of privacy and property. For instance, someone could steal the credit card information you entered on an unreliable website on the Internet and charge thousands of dollars to your account. An identity thief could aquire an identification card with your name and information printed on it, but with their face pictured. They could even purchase a home or apartment in your name, without you even knowing until days or weeks later. Scary, right? This clip from one of my favorite shows, "The Office," depicts one slightly mild and unconventional form of identity theft, but proves that it is NOT a joke.


"Identity theft is not a joke, Jim. Millions of families suffer every year!" And surely, they do. According to the FTC, an estimated 9 million Americans fall victim to identity theft each year. Why is this number so high? Why are so many people becoming victims to this crime? The answer to these questions is quite simple; the information being stolen is most likely something the victim put out there by their own will. If you throw away an old credit card bill in the trash, it becomes open access for anyone to seek out and steal. Trusting in an unaccountable website and entering personal information is just like handing it over to a thief. It is for reasons like these why it is so important to be cautious when it comes to sharing personal information. Identity theft starts with the victim and what they decide to share with the world.

Identity theft is 100% preventable. Frequently monitoring account information can help with prevention and early detection should you become a target of identity theft. Shredding or burning any personal documentation that you plan to throw away is another way to protect yourself from dumpster diving thieves. As I stated before, identity theft starts with the awareness and carelessness of the victim, so become aware of when and when not to share information, and you can easily defend yourself against identity theft.

Sources:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/about-identity-theft.html
http://vimeo.com/1067344